Unit 1: Foundations of American Democracy

What was the Enlightenment?

An 18th-century philosophical movement in Western Europe that emphasized the use of reason over tradition to solve social problems.

What did Thomas Hobbes believe about government?

He believed people could not govern themselves and that a monarch with absolute power would best protect life, advocating for a social contract where some freedoms are sacrificed for government protection.

What are natural rights according to John Locke?

Natural rights are life, liberty, and property granted by God, which the government must protect, with the right to revolution if these rights are taken away.

What concept did John Locke introduce regarding human experience?

He introduced the idea of empiricism, stating that people are born with a tabula rasa (blank slate) and that experiences shape their actions.

What is the significance of Charles de Montesquieu's work?

He proposed the separation of powers into three branches of government and introduced the concept of checks and balances to limit each branch's power.

What did Jean-Jacques Rousseau argue about human nature?

He argued that people are born good but are corrupted by society and should act for the greater good rather than out of self-interest.

What themes are explored in Voltaire's 'Candide'?

The novel reflects a dislike of Christian power and nobility, advocating for rationality, freedom of thought, speech, religion, and politics.

What was Denis Diderot's contribution to the Enlightenment?

He was the producer/editor of the first encyclopedia, aiming to change people's thinking by including various philosophies and advocating for freedom of expression and universal education access.

What type of government did Enlightenment philosophers favor?

They favored democracy over absolute monarchy.

What is participatory democracy?

A form of democracy that encourages broad participation in politics and society by people of various statuses.

What is pluralist democracy?

A form of democracy characterized by group-based activism where citizens with common interests seek the same goals.

What defines elite democracy?

A form of democracy where power is held by the educated and wealthy, discouraging participation by the majority.

What are the key principles of republicanism?

Republicanism supports individualism and natural rights, popular sovereignty, and encourages civic participation.

How is American Republicanism characterized?

It is characterized by representative democracy, where elected officials represent a group of people.

What does popular sovereignty mean?

It means that government power derives from the consent of the governed.

What is the Declaration of Independence?

A formal declaration of war between America and Great Britain, written by Thomas Jefferson, listing grievances against King George III.

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To explain why the colonies were declaring independence and to serve as a template for other nations declaring independence.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The first government of the United States, ratified in 1781, which outlined a weak federal structure and was a predecessor to the Constitution.

What were some accomplishments of the Articles of Confederation?

Created federalism, ended the Revolutionary War favorably for the U.S. (Treaty of Paris 1783), and established the Northwest Ordinance.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

A 1786-1787 uprising of over 1,000 farmers protesting against farm foreclosures, highlighting the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Could not impose taxes, lacked a national military, had no national currency, and required unanimous votes to amend.

What was the Constitutional Convention?

A 1787 meeting in Philadelphia where framers debated the structure and powers of government, leading to the creation of the Constitution.

What was the Great Compromise?

An agreement that established a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate with equal representation.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

An agreement that counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for determining representation in the House of Representatives.

What is the role of the President as established by the Constitution?

The chief executive responsible for enforcing laws, with the power to veto legislation and check the legislative branch.

What is the purpose of the Supreme Court?

To mediate disputes between legislative and executive branches, between states, and between state and federal governments.

What were the Federalist Papers?

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the Constitution.

What was the main argument of Federalist No. 10?

Written by James Madison, it addresses the dangers of factions and argues that a large republic can protect minority interests.

What was the main concern of Anti-Federalists?

They feared that the Constitution would threaten personal liberties and create a powerful central government.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added to protect citizens' rights from government infringement.

What did Federalist No. 51 argue?

Written by James Madison, it argued that separation of powers would make the government efficient by dividing responsibilities.

What was the argument in Federalist No. 70?

Written by Alexander Hamilton, it argued for a single executive (the president) to ensure accountability and effective leadership.

What is judicial review?

The power of the judicial branch to review laws and actions of the legislative and executive branches for constitutionality.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the president, composed of elected officials from each state.

What is the significance of the Constitution being vague?

It allows for flexibility and change through amendments, enabling the government to evolve over time.

What was the main issue debated regarding representation at the Constitutional Convention?

The debate between unicameral vs. bicameral legislature and how representation should be allocated based on population or equal votes.

What did the framers of the Constitution aim to protect?

They aimed to protect property and rights while establishing a stronger central government.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The creation of the Constitution, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a stronger federal government.

What was the significance of the Federalist Papers?

They were crucial in persuading states to ratify the Constitution and demonstrated the original intent of the framers.

What was the concern regarding the power of the judicial branch?

Anti-Federalists feared that a federal judiciary could overpower state judiciaries and lead to corruption due to lifetime appointments.

What power did the Supreme Court establish in Marbury v. Madison (1803)?

The power of judicial review, allowing the Court to overturn laws passed by the legislature.

What is the necessary and proper clause in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution?

It allows Congress to make any legislation deemed 'necessary and proper' to carry out its powers, also known as the elastic clause.

What is an example of legislation that is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution?

The Federal Reserve System and the executive branch's cabinet.

What does the Supremacy Clause state?

It establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.

What is federalism?

A system of government where national and local governments share powers.

What is a confederation?

A system where decisions are made by external member-state legislation, with daily issues decided by special majorities or consensus.

What was the significance of McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)?

The Court ruled that states could not tax the national bank, reinforcing the supremacy clause and the necessary and proper clause.

What was the outcome of United States v. Lopez (1995)?

The Court held that the commerce clause did not allow regulation of carrying guns in school zones, emphasizing state sovereignty.

What are delegated (enumerated) powers?

Powers that belong to the national government, such as printing money and conducting foreign policy.

What are reserved powers?

Powers that belong to the states, as defined by the 10th Amendment, including issuing licenses and regulating intrastate business.

What does the 10th Amendment state?

It reserves powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states for the states themselves.

What is an example of a reserved power?

Conducting elections or regulating intrastate business.

What does the term 'elastic clause' refer to?

The necessary and proper clause that allows Congress to stretch its powers as needed.

How does federalism affect the relationship between state and federal laws?

Federal laws take precedence over state laws in case of conflict, as established by the Supremacy Clause.

What is the role of the Supreme Court in federalism?

To interpret the Constitution and resolve disputes between state and federal laws.

What was the impact of the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990?

It was challenged in United States v. Lopez, leading to a ruling that emphasized state control over certain regulations.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the supreme law of the land'?

It refers to the Constitution and federal laws being the highest authority in the United States.

What is an example of a delegated power related to war?

Declaring war.

What does the term 'state sovereignty' mean?

The concept that states have the right to govern themselves and make their own laws.

What are concurrent powers?

Powers shared by federal and state governments, such as levying taxes and establishing courts.

What does the Constitution guarantee to states?

A republican government and protection against rebellion and invasion.

What powers are denied to the federal government?

Suspending writ of habeas corpus, passing ex post facto laws, imposing export taxes, and granting titles of nobility.

What powers are denied to state governments?

Entering treaties, declaring war, maintaining an army, and printing money.

How are federal government programs typically administered?

Most are administered through states and funded by grants-in-aid from the federal government.

What are categorical grants?

Federal aid with strict rules on how it must be used, favored by those who support federal power.

What are block grants?

Federal aid that allows states to use the money as they wish, favored by those who support states' rights.

What are some advantages of federalism?

Mass participation, regional autonomy, multi-level government, innovative methods, diffusion of power, and diversity in government.

What are some disadvantages of federalism?

Lack of consistency, inefficiency, bureaucracy, resistance, and inequity.

What is the separation of powers?

A principle that assigns different tasks to each branch of government: legislative makes laws, executive enforces laws, and judicial interprets laws.

What is the system of checks and balances?

A system designed to prevent any branch of government from becoming dominant by requiring them to work together.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

By passing a law with a 2/3 majority in both houses.

What is the amendment process for the Constitution?

An amendment must be approved by 2/3 of both houses of Congress and ratified by 3/4 of state legislatures.

What is one method for states to propose a constitutional convention?

2/3 of state legislatures can petition Congress for a constitutional convention, though this has never occurred.

What is the role of state governors?

They lead the executive branch, command the National Guard, grant pardons, and can veto state legislation.

What is the typical structure of state legislatures?

Most states have bicameral legislatures that enact state laws and can override gubernatorial vetoes.

What types of cases do state judiciaries hear?

They hear criminal and civil cases, including lawsuits.

What is the significance of the 21st amendment?

It ended prohibition and was ratified using a ratifying convention.

What is the purpose of grants-in-aid?

To provide federal funding to states for specific programs, often with conditions attached.

What is the impact of federalism on policy experimentation?

States can experiment with different policies, leading to innovative methods and solutions.